Matthews, No. 1 on NHL Central Scouting's final ranking of international skaters, thought the interview was very businesslike.

"I think the meeting and interview went well," Matthews said. "It was a get-to-know-more-about-you kind of thing. I wasn't asked anything that was out of the ordinary; nothing really to throw me a curveball."

In addition to the scouting staff, Maple Leafs general manager Lou Lamoriello was present at the interview and listening to every word.

"Mr. Lamoriello didn't ask me any questions but was just observing and listening," Matthews said.

Quote

1. Matthews was at one time better at baseball than hockey.

Matthews: "I was really into baseball because my dad and grandpop played it growing up. I really enjoyed hitting the most, and that was really my strong suit. I enjoyed catching as well. It's kind of different because usually in hockey it's dad who takes you to the pond, but it's a little different coming from Arizona. My dad (Brian) played baseball in college. I did enjoy baseball, and it was certainly something I liked to play, but hockey would become my No. 1 passion."

2. Matthews attended his first hockey game when he was 2 years old and began playing the sport four years later.

Matthews: "My father and uncle (Billy Matthews) took me to my first Phoenix Coyotes' hockey game when I was 2 years old. I can't remember much back then, but as the years went on, I remember thinking what a fast-paced game it was. It was really fun to watch, and once I started playing, I was intrigued even more. I can't really explain it. It was just a passion to play the game that came over me."

3. A broken femur sustained as a member of USA Hockey's Under-17 National Team Development Program provided valuable lessons this season when he was injured with Zurich in Switzerland.

Matthews broke his femur in his second game with the U-17 NTDP after a knee-on-knee collision on Sept. 14, 2013. He returned to the lineup Dec. 6, 2013, and finished with 12 goals and 33 points in 24 games; he had 12 goals and 17 points in 20 games for the U-18 NTDP later that season. Matthews sustained a back injury this season in Zurich and missed six games, but he knew what needed to be done after going through the previous injury with the USNTDP.

Matthews: "The injury with the U-17's was a little more serious since I needed surgery. Obviously, that wasn't the best time in my life. I was just beginning my career with the NTDP in Ann Arbor (Mich.), and that happened. I think it made me stronger mentally and stronger as a person. When I was injured this year in Zurich, it was tough, but just going through what I did at the NTDP, and knowing how to handle it, was important. I did whatever I could do for my back through rehabilitation. I was motivated to get back and start playing again. The most important thing was listening to the doctors and doing whatever I could do within the rules, whether it was going out and shooting on your own or sitting down, stick-handling and doing whatever you can to keep sane."

4. Matthews was completely flustered when fans began chanting his name after he scored the game-winning goal for Zurich against rival Davos on Oct. 9.

Matthews scored two goals, including the game-winner 3:32 into the third period to give Zurich a 3-2 win.

Matthews: "It was probably one of the most memorable games of the year because it was the first time Zurich and Davos played since the 2015 National League A final. I was able to score two goals, and the game-winner off a great pass from Robert Nilsson. After the game, the fans began chanting my name and jumping up and down. I was just looking up into the crowd and saying, 'This is crazy.' But what I didn't know was that when the crowd does that in Switzerland, you're expected to return to the ice by yourself and salute the fans. I had no idea, and everyone was yelling at me that I had to go back. I was so confused as to what was going on, but once I figured it out, it was pretty special."

5. Ema Matthews helped her son celebrate his 18th birthday on Sept. 17 by preparing a favorite meal for him and his Zurich teammates.

Matthews: "I love mom's chicken tortilla soup; she made it for the team for my birthday in Zurich, and afterwards the wives of almost half the players were asking for the recipe. They all liked it a lot. It was pretty neat and it kind of broke the ice on my birthday."

Overseeing his first NHL Draft as general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Lou Lamoriello will leave no stone unturned.

The fact Lamoriello is sitting in on more than 85 interviews with 2016 NHL Draft-eligible prospects at the NHL Scouting Combine this week at First Niagara Center is proof of that. Since becoming the 16th general manager of the Maple Leafs on July 23, 2015, after 28 seasons with the New Jersey Devils, Lamoriello has made a point to help play a key role in every major business decision.

One that will have a huge impact on the organization for years to come takes place June 24, with the Maple Leafs holding the No. 1 pick in the draft. Zurich center Auston Matthews, Tappara right wing Patrik Laine and Karpat right wing Jesse Puljujarvi, expected to be the top three players selected, each made a good impression on Lamoriello during the interview portion of the combine.

"I certainly haven't watched all these players play, but I am going to have an opportunity to see them as people, see their personalities and tie that to what are scouting reports are," Lamoriello said. "But the decisions will come from our scouting staff, just like they did when I was in New Jersey."

Lamoriello said Maple Leafs director of player personnel Mark Hunter will make the important decisions at the draft.

"Everyone has input, but it comes down to your head scout and the staff who sees the players," Lamoriello said. "The whole organization is involved, but you have to respect the people who are doing the 24-hour job. But part of my responsibility is to be aware and make sure everything is going in the direction that is best for the organization."

Overseeing his first NHL Draft as general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Lou Lamoriello will leave no stone unturned.

The fact Lamoriello is sitting in on more than 85 interviews with 2016 NHL Draft-eligible prospects at the NHL Scouting Combine this week at First Niagara Center is proof of that. Since becoming the 16th general manager of the Maple Leafs on July 23, 2015, after 28 seasons with the New Jersey Devils, Lamoriello has made a point to help play a key role in every major business decision.

One that will have a huge impact on the organization for years to come takes place June 24, with the Maple Leafs holding the No. 1 pick in the draft. Zurich center Auston Matthews, Tappara right wing Patrik Laine and Karpat right wing Jesse Puljujarvi, expected to be the top three players selected, each made a good impression on Lamoriello during the interview portion of the combine.

"I certainly haven't watched all these players play, but I am going to have an opportunity to see them as people, see their personalities and tie that to what are scouting reports are," Lamoriello said. "But the decisions will come from our scouting staff, just like they did when I was in New Jersey."

Lamoriello said Maple Leafs director of player personnel Mark Hunter will make the important decisions at the draft.

"Everyone has input, but it comes down to your head scout and the staff who sees the players," Lamoriello said. "The whole organization is involved, but you have to respect the people who are doing the 24-hour job. But part of my responsibility is to be aware and make sure everything is going in the direction that is best for the organization."

Awww yissssssss

Like a well oiled machine, with all its parts working together, doing what they are designed to do.